ALL FLYERS PLEASE READ!!! (...if you don't, expect to be yelled at!)

INTRODUCTION TO THE SHILLER PARK FLYING FIELD

Welcome! We are glad you are also interested in this exciting hobby and welcome you aboard! The "Radio Signal Modelers Flying Club" has been chartered to operate this field since 1971 and our many experienced  flying club members are here to help you get started. Guest pilots should introduce themselves upon arriving at the field.  New, beginner flyers should additionally ask to be assisted by an experienced helper or club instructor.  No impatient, know-it-all, or reckless flyers will be tolerated. Spectators, and dog walking is not allowed on the field or pit area at any time, kindly ask them to leave the area.

Club Benefits: Joining our flying club has many benefits such as free expert flight instruction, soloing, plane checkups, flying tips, advice and use of dual control "buddy box" hardware to hopefully save your model from a crash. Our club also has special events such as Fun-Flys and BBQ's.  Your club dues pays for all the field maintenance, permits, etc.  If you fly here often, please do your part and join the club.  New planes that have not yet been "maiden", should be gone over by one of our experienced pilots to check it thoroughly before it’s first and initial flight. We usually find a problem or two that would have caused you to crash. Please have lots of patience and take advantage of our clubs' experience.  This hobby can be very dangerous to yourself and others at the field.  

Insurance card is mandatory: AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) liability insurance is mandatory for use in this field. Get it at the AMA website. (See our LINKS page on club's website) The exception to this rule is during introductory pilot training sessions given by one of the clubs’ instructors, in which case you are covered.  You must also read and understand the official "safety code" of the AMA as contained in that national organization’s regulations handbook.

Use of our radio frequency control board is mandatory: Only a current "AMA CARD" or printout of your "AMA RECEIPT" will be allowed to secure a channel on the frequency board. Immediately upon arriving at the field, please walk over to the frequency board and check to see if your channel is in use. If free, then post your AMA card in this slot. If not, then find the person on your channel and share it by mutual agreement. You will both then have to "impound" your transmitters on the shed shelving while the other pilot is using the channel. This guarantees no accidental transmitter turn-ons.

Toys R’ Us / AirHogs, etc. These planes are considered "toys" and operate on the 27 Mhz frequency band. These things barely (if at all) fly and this flying field was not intended for this type of aircraft although you are welcome to try it out here. Just introduce yourself and let the pilots know before you turn it on so we can make sure it’s really on the 27Mhz toy frequency and not on our 72Mhz radio band.  We suggest you wait until there is absolutely no wind to fly these toys, such as daybreak and sunset, or you'll just crash.

Field Maintenance: No flying is permitted during periods of field maintenance. All club members are asked to pitch-in and help out with the grass cutting, edging, trimming etc. If you see one of the members working at the field, just ask what you can do to help.

Takeoffs, landings, or flying over the pit or spectator area is not permitted.

Pilots shall fly from behind the ORANGE flight line fence.

Low flying is not allowed close to the flight line.

Gas engines must be started on the supplied benches, not the picnic tables.

You are not allowed to taxi in or out of the pit area.

Flyers must pickup all crashed model parts and dispose of properly.

Helicopter pilots please use the tables located west of the shed.

Gas engines must be started on the supplied square tables or aircraft benches, not the picnic tables.  The square table gets moved around a lot, so just move it back.

Heli pilots, please wait until all planes have landed before flying in the main airspace as simultaneous plane and heli flying do not mix very well. Conversely, airplane pilots, please wait until the heli’s have landed.

Hovering practice and testing is restricted to the round heli pad area located at the extreme west side of the pit area and can be done at anytime.

VERBAL SAFETY SKILLS:

Pilots on takeoff shall yell out "TAKING OFF"!

Pilots on final approach for a landing shall have priority over all other aircraft and yell out "LANDING"! Other pilots should respond "UP AND OUT" and then free up the landing area.

When a potentially out-of-control and hazardous flight over flyers or spectators is about to happen, it shall be the duty of any observer to yell out a loud warning such as "HEADS UP"!!!

A pilot making a engine out approach shall yell out "DEAD STICK"! All other pilots must give immediate priority to him.

When walking out on the field to pickup your downed aircraft, yell out "ON THE FIELD"! and make sure you get a response from other flying pilots.

Above all, use good judgment and vigilance at all times.

Thank you for reading this and helping to keep this flying field a fun and safe place to fly!

-Radio Signal Modelers Flying Club

 (REVISED 6-19-2007 M.R.)